By: Natasha Archary

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the shooting of the Primrose Primary School Principal by a Grade 6 learner was pre-meditated.
On Monday, 19 February Chiloane paid a visit to the school following the tragic incident on Friday morning, 16 February where a 13-year old learner shot and wounded 51-year old Noko Selepe.
The learner has ince been arrested and is according to Chiloane expected to appear in court on attempted murder charges.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Gauteng Education MEC Spokesperson, Xolani Mkhwemte, Naptosa Executive Director, Basil Manuel and National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) General Secretary, Matakanye Matakanya.
Listen to the full conversation here:
Addressing media outside the school, Chiloane revealed shocking details that suggest the learner had planned the shooting on a WhatsApp group.
During chats on the WhatsApp group which included other learners, the Grade 6 boy allegedly shared that he intended to shoot not just Selepe, but the Deputy Principal and another teacher as well.
While the reason for the shooting is unconfirmed at this stage, Chiloane shared that the learner had found himself in trouble at school on a number of occasions.
“School leadership has assured me that ever since the incident occurred they have been on top of things.
Children and teachers have been receiving support because they are all shaken, after details that have come out since the child has been apprehended and questioned.
Details go as far as the child was intending to shoot three educators. As things stand, the child is appearing in court. The father is still in jail, he’ll also be appearing for negligence.”
Gauteng MEC Matome Chiloane
WATCH JUST IN: @EducationGP1 MEC @matomekopano says it’s been revealed that the child had planned to shoot about 3 educators on Friday. The apprehended child will undergo a rehabilitation process before being reintroduced to the school system. @DBE_SA @HubertMweli @ElijahMhlanga pic.twitter.com/v6sO7qKl1O
— @DBETVNews (@dbetvnews) February 19, 2024
The Gauteng Education MEC said the child will have to undergo intense rehabilitation processes before being reintroduced to the schooling system.
“When a child is under 14, the decision lays with the magistrate as to whether the child goes to juvenile etc, but from the side of the Department, it’s going to be a process until the child gets reintroduced back into the system.
The child will have to undergo a lot of rehabilitation work where we are all comfortable because we have seen in our own research that these children tend to have a repetitive behaviour.
It’s either they learn from the incident, understanding that it’s not right to shoot, it’s not right to take a gun, or they feel they can be better prepared next time.”
Principal Selepe is in hospital receiving medical attention.
Your teachers are your parents in school. How you treat them is a reflection of how you treat your parents at home. Respect your teachers 🙏🏾 https://t.co/uUHf31lPdN
— Matome Chiloane (@matomekopano) February 19, 2024
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